Methods and systems for blood collection operator training

ABSTRACT

Certain examples provide systems/apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for blood collection/processing instrument operator training and troubleshooting. Certain examples provide a system for platelet resuspension training. The system includes an interactive training application, provided via a mobile device, to train a user to resuspend platelets in a liquid medium prior to its storage and/or transfusion to a patient. The training application is to instruct the user regarding an appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container associated with a blood processing instrument. The system includes a sensor to detect the user&#39;s motion of the mobile device. The system includes a processor to compare the user&#39;s motion of the mobile device to the appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container and provide feedback to the user regarding the comparison.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates and claims priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/373,197, filed on Aug. 12, 2010, U.S.provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/383,174, filed on Sep. 15,2010, and U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/448,654,filed on Mar. 2, 2011, each of which is herein incorporated by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, andapparatus to provide mobile applications for blood centers andassociated medical personnel.

BACKGROUND

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers continually face aneed for donated blood to help in treating patients. It is oftendifficult to notify and educate the public regarding donations. Donorsmay not become repeat donors due to a lack of information and access.Additionally, it is sometimes difficult to train operators andadministrators regarding the particularities of blood collectioninstruments. Operators and administrators may introduce inefficienciesin their operation and management of blood collection instruments due toa lack of information and access.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Certain examples provide systems/apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture for blood collection/processing instrument operator trainingand troubleshooting.

Certain examples provide a computer-implemented method of training anoperator for platelet resuspension. The method includes providing aninteractive training application via a mobile device to train a user toresuspend platelets in a liquid medium prior to its storage and/ortransfusion to a patient. The training application is to instruct theuser regarding an appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension ofplatelets in a blood container associated with a blood processinginstrument. The method includes detecting, using a sensor, the user'smotion of the mobile device. The method includes comparing the user'smotion of the mobile device to the appropriate motion and vigor forresuspension of platelets in a blood container. The method includesproviding feedback to the user regarding the comparison.

Certain examples provide a system for platelet resuspension training.The system includes an interactive training application, provided via amobile device, to train a user to resuspend platelets in a liquid mediumprior to its storage and/or transfusion to a patient. The trainingapplication is to instruct the user regarding an appropriate motion andvigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container associated witha blood processing instrument. The system includes a sensor to detectthe user's motion of the mobile device. The system includes a processorto compare the user's motion of the mobile device to the appropriatemotion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container andprovide feedback to the user regarding the comparison.

Certain examples provide a tangible computer readable storage mediumincluding program code for execution by a processor. The program code,when implemented, is to provide an interactive training application,provided via a mobile device, to train a user to resuspend platelets ina liquid medium prior to its storage and/or transfusion to a patient.The training application is to instruct the user regarding anappropriate motion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a bloodcontainer associated with a blood processing instrument. The programcode, when implemented, is to provide a processor to receive informationregarding the user's motion of the mobile device from a sensor and tocompare the user's motion of the mobile device to the appropriate motionand vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container and providefeedback to the user regarding the comparison.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 depict an example mobile device on which the examplesdescribed herein can be implemented.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example method that can be used toimplement the examples described herein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example apparatus that may be used toimplement the examples described herein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an example processor platform thatmay be used and/or programmed to implement any or all of the examplemethods and systems described herein.

The following detailed description of certain examples will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the examples described herein, certain examplesare shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that thepresent disclosure is not limited to the arrangements andinstrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and describedin detail below. In describing these examples, like or identicalreference numbers are used to identify the same or similar elements. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certainviews of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematicfor clarity and/or conciseness. Additionally, several examples have beendescribed throughout this specification. Any features from any examplemay be included with, a replacement for, or otherwise combined withother features from other examples.

It will be understood that the present invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thepresent examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notto be limited to the details presented herein.

Although the following discloses example methods, apparatus, systems,and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmwareand/or software executed on hardware, it should be noted that suchmethods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are merelyillustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, itis contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/orsoftware components could be embodied exclusively in hardware,exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combinationof hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the followingdescribes example methods, apparatus, systems, and/or articles ofmanufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implementsuch methods, apparatus, systems, and/or articles of manufacture.

Certain examples provide mobile applications for blood centers thatinclude donor, administration, operations, and/or service applications.Certain examples converge information into one or more applications thathelp provide or facilitate training, improved record keeping, betterdonor experience, reduction of waste, and/or enhanced ease of use forthe user, for example. In addition, flow of communication can beimproved. Furthermore, certain examples help provide for automation ofmanual tasks which help eliminate or reduce potential user errors.

Certain examples generally relate to the resuspension of blood plateletsand/or platelet concentrates after separation of the platelets orplatelet concentrate from the blood of a donor. More specifically,certain examples concern platelet suspensions, media in which plateletsmay be resuspended, the suspension of platelets in such media, andmethods for obtaining or preparing such suspensions.

Whole blood is made up of various cellular components such as red cells,white cells and platelets suspended in its liquid component, plasma.Whole blood can be separated into its constituent components (e.g.,cellular or liquid), and the separated component can be administered toa patient in need of that particular component. For example, plateletscan be removed from the whole blood of a healthy donor, collected, andlater administered to a cancer patient, whose ability to make plateletshas been destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Platelets may be collected by continuously or intermittently introducingwhole blood from a donor into a centrifuge chamber wherein the wholeblood is separated into its constituent components, including platelets,based on the densities of the different components. In the separation ofplatelets, sometimes referred to as plateletpheresis, the platelets areoften concentrated to form a layer of packed platelets with someresidual plasma (hereinafter “platelet concentrate”). For storage and/ortransfusion to the patient, however, the platelet concentrate is to beresuspended in a liquid medium, such as plasma, a platelet additivesolution (PAS), etc.

Plateletpheresis may be facilitated using an instrument or device suchas the Amicus™ Separator, an automated continuous flow blood cellseparator made by Fenwal, Inc. In the Amicus™ separator, red blood cellsand white blood cells are separated from platelet-rich plasma in a firststage, and the platelet-rich plasma is then separated into platelet poorplasma and platelet concentrate in a second stage. The collectedplatelet concentrate is resuspended in additional plasma, for example.

In addition to the automated procedure described above, platelets canalso be collected on systems where the donor is not connected to theinstrument during the plateletpheresis procedure. In these “manual”systems, whole blood is collected from a donor. The container ofcollected whole blood is then centrifuged to separate the platelet richplasma in a first stage from the other components. In a second stage ofthe procedure, platelets are separated from plasma to form a plateletconcentrate. The platelet concentrate is then resuspended in a liquid,such as plasma.

Although plasma is effective for resuspending platelets, it may not be achosen medium for platelet resuspension for several reasons. First,plasma itself is a valuable blood component that can be used or furtherprocessed for use in the treatment of patients with other disorders.Thus, a user may wish to save the plasma for end uses other thanplatelet resuspension. Second, platelets often do not completelyresuspend in plasma and/or complete resuspension of platelets in plasmaoccurs over an extended period of time.

Platelets that have not completely resuspended may be unsuitable forfurther processing or transfusion because of the presence of plateletaggregates (e.g., clumps of platelets). Platelet aggregates areundesirable because they can clog transfusion filters commonly used inplatelet transfusions and/or platelet processing, such as filtersdesigned for removal of white cells. Lower throughput because of cloggedfilters results in fewer platelets administered to a patient.

Platelets may be resuspended, for example, in saline solution (e.g.,0.9% NaCl), and saline may be used to resuspend platelets in plateletwashing procedures. Solutions that are primarily intended for thestorage of platelets may also be useful for resuspending platelets. Inaddition to sodium chloride, these solutions include other componentsdesigned to help preserve the platelets such as sodium citrate,mannitol, phosphate, potassium chloride, sodium acetate which serves asa nutrient for platelets. In certain examples, one or more plateletadditive solutions (e.g., PAS I, PAS II or T-Sol, PAS III or Fenwal'sInterSol™ solution, etc.) may be used to assist in suspension andstorage of platelets.

In certain examples, an application can provide training, feedback,monitor, and status information on a collection process. For example, anapplication on a mobile or handheld computing device (e.g., an AppleiPad™, iPhone™, and/or other tablet computer or smartphone) can helpfacilitate user training with respect to one or more blood collectionand/or processing procedures. For example, use of equipment and suppliesmay be facilitated.

In certain examples, a customer may purchase an application and/ordownload the application to a device. Materials may be provided toexplain the application, provide directions for downloading/installingthe application onto a phone, and/or explain how to use the application.In some examples, an application can give visual assistance in operatinga device such as Fenwal's Alyx™ or Amicus™ collection instruments. Insome examples, the application may provide a mobile version of theoperator's manual for AIyx™ system and/or Amicus™ separator.

In some examples, an application may make provider websitesmobile-friendly. For example, Microsoft SharePoint™ supports mobileviews and can be leveraged to provide a mobile-friendly provider (e.g.,Fenwal) website.

In some examples, an application for use with a mobile device isintegrated with a provider (e.g., Fenwal) data management system. Insome examples, the application enables the device to be made 21 CFR part11 compliant. In some examples, the application can be used across avariety of blood products.

In some examples, an interactive application teaches or trains usersregarding operation of blood collection/processing equipment and/or howautomated Fenwal technologies or other provider technologies aredesigned to maximize the collection of platelets (e.g., on Amicus™separators), plasma (e.g., on Autopheresis-C™ systems) and/or red cells(e.g., on Alyx™ systems). This application may also include informationregarding how the automated devices function. In some examples, theapplication may describe how the device(s) draw the donor blood in,separate it into the various components and return the unnecessarycomponents back to the donor.

Certain examples described herein relate to example systems and methodsfor training operators in the blood collection field to properlyresuspend platelets in a liquid medium, such as plasma, saline, salineand anticoagulant, PAS, etc., prior to its storage and/or transfusion toa patient. Certain examples provide a practice forum for trainingoperators regarding the appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension ofplatelets. Certain examples provide feedback to allow an operator topractice and experience resuspension of platelets in a blood containerassociated with a blood collection device.

Using a blood collection device, such as an Amicus™ separator,concentrated platelets are collected within a container housed within acentrifuge. After centrifugation, plasma may be introduced into thecontainer and an operator may then resuspend the platelets by holdingthe container taut between their hands and shaking the container backand forth to detach and, thus, resuspend platelets that are affixedand/or attached to the sides of the container. Platelets may also beattached to each other (sometimes referred to as a pellet) and couldbenefit from resuspension. After resuspension, the platelet/plasmasolution may be transferred to a storage container along with additionalplasma and/or storage fluid, for example. If the operator does notproperly resuspend the platelets by not shaking the container properlyor for a sufficient time, some of the platelets may not be resuspendedand, thus, not be transferred to the storage container, for example. Ifthe operator does not properly resuspend the platelets by rubbing of thecontainer or pinching the corners of the container, some or all of theplatelets may be activated within the container causing them to clot,for example.

Using the examples described herein, a tutorial application may beimplemented on a mobile device having an accelerometer to teach anoperator how to properly resuspend platelets. The tutorial applicationmay facilitate and/or cause the accelerometer to be set at a particularsensitivity that accurately identifies movement of the mobile deviceduring a platelet resuspension tutorial. The particular sensitivity maybe the same or different than the setting at which the accelerometertypically operates. The tutorial application may facilitate and/or causethe mobile device to visually display on its monitor the progress of theplatelets being resuspended. For example, initially a container havingplatelets affixed to its sides or pelletized to each other may bedisplayed. As the mobile device is moved back and forth during thetutorial (e.g., by an employee of a blood donation center, hospital,plasma center, etc.), the plasma may be shown moving within thecontainer and the platelets may be shown being resuspended. The tutorialapplication may facilitate and/or cause the mobile device (e.g., usingits touch screen and/or other sensor(s)) to identify if the operator isproperly holding and/or moving the device during the tutorial. Incertain examples, the tutorial application may facilitate and/or causethe mobile device to display a game that advances based on the progressmade with regards to resuspending the platelets.

In some examples, the tutorial application may facilitate and/or causethe mobile device to display information relating to suggestions thatmay improve the operator's performance with regards to resuspendingplatelets. The tutorial application may facilitate and/or cause themobile device to display information relating to a comparison betweenthe user's performance and other users at their or other facilities. Insome examples, the tutorial application may facilitate and/or cause themobile device to convey information relating to the user's performanceto another person, device and/or data store. The person, device and/ordata store may be associated with an employer of the user, a third partyand/or provider.

FIGS. 1-3 depict an example mobile device 100 that can be used toimplement the examples described herein. In some examples, an exampletutorial application may be saved on the mobile device 100 and/or themobile device 100 may access such a tutorial application using, forexample, a wireless internet connection. In such examples, the tutorialapplication may be available via a web page, cloud based storage, etc.FIG. 1 depicts a centrifuge receptacle 102 after being removed from acollection device. The receptacle 102 includes platelets 104 that may beaffixed to side walls of the receptacle 102. The receptacle 102 may bedisplayed to a user participating in a tutorial on resuspendingplatelets.

FIG. 2 depicts the mobile device 100 and the blood container and/orcentrifuge receptacle 102 being held taut by an instructor at 202. Thereceptacle 102 being displayed at 202 may be in an as-collected stageand may be displayed for the user to learn one of the stages encounteredwhen resuspending platelets. At such a stage, most if not all platelets204 may be affixed to the sides of the receptacle 102 and/or pelletized(affixed) to other platelets.

FIG. 3 depicts the mobile device 100 and the blood container and/orcentrifuge receptacle 102 being held taut by an instructor at 302. Incontrast to the display at 202, the display at 302 may be a properlyresuspended product and may be displayed for the user to learn anotherone of the stages encountered when resuspending platelets. The properlyresuspended product may be associated with platelets 204 that were onceaffixed to the sides of the receptacle 102 and/or pelletized to otherplatelets being resuspended within a solution (e.g., plasma) 304. Insome examples, as the user participates in the tutorial, the display onthe mobile device 100 may change based on the stage (e.g., beginningstage, middle stage, end stage, etc.) that the user is at in theplatelet resuspension process. In some examples, as the userparticipates in the tutorial, the display on the mobile device 100 maychange to provide feedback to the user. The feedback may be related tohelpful tips, critiques on the user's performance, comparison with otheruser's, etc.

FIG. 4 depicts an example flow diagram representative of processes thatmay be implemented using, for example, computer readable instructionsthat may be used during blood collection operator training. The exampleprocesses of FIG. 4 may be performed using a processor, a controllerand/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the exampleprocesses of FIG. 4 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g.,computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readablemedium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or arandom-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computerreadable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computerreadable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally oralternatively, the example processes of FIG. 4 may be implemented usingcoded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on anon-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, aread-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, or anyother storage media in which information is stored for any duration(e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, fortemporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As usedherein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expresslydefined to include any type of computer readable medium and to excludepropagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the example processes of FIG. 4 may beimplemented using any combination(s) of application specific integratedcircuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), fieldprogrammable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware,firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example processes of FIG. 4 maybe implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoingtechniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discretelogic and/or hardware. Further, although the example processes of FIG. 4are described with reference to the flow diagrams of FIG. 4, othermethods of implementing the processes of FIG. 4 may be employed. Forexample, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/orsome of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, orcombined. Additionally, any or all of the example processes of FIG. 4may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example,separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic,circuits, etc.

The method 400 may begin by loading a training application onto a devicesuch as, a mobile device. Some mobile devices include smart phones(e.g., BlackBerry™, iPhone™, etc.), Mobile Internet Devices (MID),personal digital assistants, cellular phones, handheld computers, tabletcomputers (iPad™), etc., for example. At block 404, the method 400initiates a session with a user. The session may be a training courserelated to a blood collection device, a blood processing device, aprocedure to resuspend platelets, etc. The session may be initiated byreceiving an input from the user (e.g., a blood collection operator).

At block 406, the method 400 may provide instructions relating to, forexample, resuspension of platelets. The instructions may include a videotutorial, step-by-step diagrams, an audio recording, a description, etc.At block 406, the method 400 measures the user's response to theplatelet resuspension procedure tutorial. For example, the method 400may measure and/or monitor if the user is using the appropriate motionto properly resuspend the platelets. The method 400 may measure and/ormonitor the vigor in which the user is shaking the mobile device toresuspend the platelets. The method 400 may measure and/or monitor thestrength at which the mobile device is being shaken to resuspend theplatelets. The method 400 may measure and/or monitor if the user isproperly holding the device (e.g., representative of the blood containerand/or centrifuge receptacle held taut between the user's hands) basedon data/feedback from the device touchscreen. The method 400 may measureand/or monitor if the user is holding and/or shaking the mobile deviceat the proper angle to simulate resuspending the platelets in a bloodcomponent container (e.g., a blood bag). The method 400 may measureand/or monitor if a distance between each back and forth movement isappropriate and/or sufficient to resuspend the platelets, for example.

At block 410, the method 400 provides feedback (e.g., dynamically inreal-time or substantially real-time). The feedback may be provided tothe user using, for example, the mobile device. The feedback may beprovided to an administrator that monitors the user's progress withinthe training. The feedback may be provided to a third party (e.g.,Fenwal, Inc.) and/or a data store.

At block 412, the method 400 determines whether or not the procedure iscomplete. The procedure may be complete based on a variety of factors.Some of the factors may include a duration during which the user hasparticipated in this particular training exercise (e.g., how long theuser has shaken the mobile device to simulate resuspending theplatelets), a vigor and/or strength at which the user has shaken themobile device and/or if sufficient platelets would have been removedfrom the walls of the centrifuge receptacle based on the users actions.

If the method 400 determines that the procedure is not yet complete,control moves back to block 408. However, if the method 400 determinesthat procedure is complete, control moves to block 414 and additionalfeedback may be provided. Some of the feedback may include critiques ofthe user's performance, a comparison between the user and other users,etc.

At block 416, the method 400 determines if further action is to betaken. The further action may include additional sessions and/orportions of a tutorial on the blood collection device, the bloodprocessing device, etc. If further action is to be taken, control movesto block 418. At block 420, the method 400 determines whether or not toreturn to block 404. Otherwise the example method 400 is ended.

In certain examples, the method 400 can also include displaying one ormore photographs/images, diagrams, and/or instructions for proper kitloading for blood collection/processing instruments. In certainexamples, access is provided to on-line operator manuals, error codes,and/or product information via keyword search. In certain examples,complaints can be submitted via photograph and/or barcode scan in placeof or in addition to written submission. Barcode scanning of a productcan retrieve a corresponding product complaint form pre-populated withproduct information. An application can be used to additionallypre-populate the complaint form with center information, date, time,complaint reference number, etc. In certain examples, an instrumenttrouble shooting decision tree can be provided to facilitate resolutionof an instrument issue and/or submission of a service request.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example system or mobile device 500including an application 502, an interface 504 including a sensor(s)506, a processor 508 and a data store 510. The example system 500 may beused to implement the example mobile device 100. While an example mannerof implementing the mobile device 100 of FIG. 1 has been illustrated inFIG. 5, one or more of the elements, processes and/or devicesillustrated in FIG. 5 may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted,eliminated and/or implemented in other ways.

The application 502, the interface 504, the sensor 506, the processor508 and/or the data store 510 and, more generally, the example system500 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or acombination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, the application502, the interface 504, the sensor 506, the processor 508 and/or thedata store 510 and, more generally, the example system 500 can beimplemented by one or more circuit(s), programmable processor(s),application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logicdevice(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)),etc. When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the application 502, theinterface 504, the sensor 506, the processor 508 and/or the data store510 and, more generally, the example system 500 are hereby expresslydefined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray,etc., storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, the examplesystem 500 of FIG. 5 may include one or more elements, processes and/ordevices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG. 5,and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustratedelements, processes and devices.

The application 502 may include instructions that, when driven by theprocessor 508, cause the processor 508 to retrieve data, tutorialinformation, audio, graphics, text, etc., and display the same using theinterface 504. For example, based on the initiation of a tutorialsession, the application 502 may cause a video to be displayed on theinterface 504 on how to properly resuspend platelets contained within acentrifuge receptacle. The application 502 may cause instructions to bedisplayed on the interface 504 on how to participate in the tutorial. Insome examples, based on the system 500 identifying the user's experiencelevel, a different tutorial and/or information may be displayed. Thesystem 500 may identify the user's experience level from data stored atthe data store 510 and/or based on input received from the user.

The application 502 may instruct the user, using the interface 504, tosimulate a procedure in which platelets are resuspended using the system500. These instructions may include instructing the user to shake thesystem 500 from side to side at a particular rate, with a particularstrength, with a particular vigor, for a particular amount of time, etc.The user may then begin in the moving the system 100 based on theinstructions received. Once the sensor 506 identifies movement of thesystem 500 (or optionally the placement of the user's hands on thesystem 500), the sensor 506 may generate feedback and provide the sameto the processor 508 and/or the data store 510. The sensor 506 may beimplemented as multiple sensors providing separate sensory data (e.g., amotion sensor such as an accelerometer, a touch sensor, a positionsensor, etc.). The feedback may be related to the speed at which theuser is moving the system 500, the intensity at which the system 500 isbeing moved, the position of the user's hands on the system 500, how theuser is holding the system 500, etc.

Based on the information received, the processor 508 may generatefeedback that may be displayed at the interface 504 and/or stored at thedata store 510. The feedback displayed may be encouragements indicatingthat the user is properly moving the system 500, tips that enable theuser to finish the platelet resuspension procedure quicker, etc. Oncethe processor 508 determines that the tutorial is complete, theprocessor 508 may generate feedback relating to the user's performance,etc. While the data store 510 is depicted as being within the system500, the data store 510 may be at a different location (e.g., a remotelocation).

The processor 508 may drive the interface 504 to provide informationand/or functionality to the user. In some examples, the interface 504may be configured as a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may betouch pad/screen integrated with the system 500. The system 500 mayinclude one or more internal memories and/or data stores including thedata store 510. Data storage can include any variety of internal and/orexternal memory, disk, remote storage communicating with the system 500.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example processor system 600 that may beused to implement, control and/or drive the systems and methodsdescribed herein. As shown in FIG. 6, the processor system 600 includesa processor 602 that is coupled to an interconnection bus 604. Theprocessor 602 may be any suitable processor, processing unit ormicroprocessor. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the processor system 600may be a multi-processor system and, thus, may include one or moreadditional processors that are identical or similar to the processor 602and that are communicatively coupled to the interconnection bus 604.

The processor 602 of FIG. 6 is coupled to a chipset 606, which includesa memory controller 608 and an input/output (I/O) controller 610. As iswell known, a chipset typically provides I/O and memory managementfunctions as well as a plurality of general purpose and/or specialpurpose registers, timers, etc. that are accessible or used by one ormore processors coupled to the chipset 606. The memory controller 608performs functions that enable the processor 602 (or processors if thereare multiple processors) to access a system memory 612 and a massstorage memory 614.

The system memory 612 may include any desired type of volatile and/ornon-volatile memory such as, for example, static random access memory(SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, read-onlymemory (ROM), etc. The mass storage memory 614 may include any desiredtype of mass storage device including hard disk drives, optical drives,tape storage devices, etc.

The I/O controller 610 performs functions that enable the processor 602to communicate with peripheral input/output (I/O) devices 616 and 618and a network interface 620 via an I/O bus 622. The I/O devices 616 and618 may be any desired type of I/O device such as, for example, akeyboard, a video display or monitor, a mouse, etc. The networkinterface 620 may be, for example, an Ethernet device, an asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM) device, an 802.11 device, a DSL modem, a cablemodem, a cellular modem, etc. that enables the processor system 600 tocommunicate with another processor system.

While the memory controller 608 and the I/O controller 610 are depictedin FIG. 6 as separate blocks within the chipset 606, the functionsperformed by these blocks may be integrated within a singlesemiconductor circuit or may be implemented using two or more separateintegrated circuits.

Certain examples can include processes that can be implemented using,for example, computer readable instructions that can be used tofacilitate mobile blood applications for donors, operators,administrators, and/or providers. The example processes can be performedusing a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processingdevice. For example, the example processes can be implemented usingcoded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on atangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-onlymemory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, theterm tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagatingsignals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes can beimplemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readableinstructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium suchas a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory(RAM), a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray, a cache, or any other storage media inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/orfor caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitorycomputer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type ofcomputer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the example processes can be implementedusing any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s)(ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmablelogic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc.Also, some or all of the example processes can be implemented manuallyor as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, forexample, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/orhardware. Further, although example processes may be described withreference to a particular order and/or structure, other methods ofimplementing the processes may be employed. For example, the order ofexecution of the blocks can be changed, and/or some of the blocksdescribed may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined.Additionally, any or all of the example processes can be performedsequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processingthreads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe appended claims either literally or under the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. A computer-implemented method of training an operator for plateletresuspension, the method comprising: providing an interactive trainingapplication via a mobile device to train a user to resuspend plateletsin a liquid medium prior to its storage and/or transfusion to a patient,the training application to instruct the user regarding an appropriatemotion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood containerassociated with a blood processing instrument; detecting, using asensor, the user's motion of the mobile device; comparing the user'smotion of the mobile device to the appropriate motion and vigor forresuspension of platelets in a blood container; and providing feedbackto the user regarding the comparison.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe interactive training application is configured to teach the userregarding a function and operation of the blood processing instrument.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting further comprisesdetecting the user holding an edge of the mobile device to mimic holdingthe blood container taut and detecting the user shaking the bloodcontainer back and forth to detach and resuspend platelets in the bloodcontainer.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the detecting furthercomprises detecting the user's positioning of hands on the mobile deviceso as to at least one of rub the blood container or pinch at least onecorner of the blood container.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thedetecting further comprises detecting at least one of a direction and anintensity of user movement of the mobile device.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the detecting further comprises detecting a type of motionperformed by the user with respect to the mobile device.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising visually displaying, via the mobiledevice, a progress of platelets being resuspended.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising facilitating setting of a sensitivity of thesensor to identify movement of the mobile device by the user.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the training application is provided as agame that advances based on the user's progress to resuspend theplatelets.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising displayinginformation relating to suggestions for the user regarding resuspensionof platelets.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising displayingfeedback for the user based on a stage of platelet resuspension.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the comparing further comprises comparing aperformance of the user to a performance of at least one other user. 13.A system for platelet resuspension training, the system comprising: aninteractive training application, provided via a mobile device, to traina user to resuspend platelets in a liquid medium prior to its storageand/or transfusion to a patient, the training application to instructthe user regarding an appropriate motion and vigor for resuspension ofplatelets in a blood container associated with a blood processinginstrument; a sensor to detect the user's motion of the mobile device;and a processor to compare the user's motion of the mobile device to theappropriate motion and vigor for resuspension of platelets in a bloodcontainer and provide feedback to the user regarding the comparison. 14.The system of claim 13, wherein the interactive training application isconfigured to teach the user regarding a function and operation of theblood processing instrument.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein thesensor is to detect the user holding an edge of the mobile device tomimic holding the blood container taut and detect the user shaking theblood container back and forth to detach and resuspend platelets in theblood container.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor is todetect the user's positioning of hands on the mobile device so as to atleast one of rub the blood container or pinch at least one corner of theblood container.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is todetect at least one of a direction and an intensity of user movement ofthe mobile device.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is todetect a type of motion performed by the user with respect to the mobiledevice.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is to visuallydisplay, via the mobile device, a progress of platelets beingresuspended.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is tofacilitate setting of a sensitivity of the sensor to identify movementof the mobile device by the user.
 21. The system of claim 13, whereinthe training application is to be provided as a game that advances basedon the user's progress to resuspend the platelets.
 22. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the processor is to facilitate display of informationrelating to suggestions for the user regarding resuspension ofplatelets.
 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is tofacilitate display of feedback for the user based on a stage of plateletresuspension.
 24. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is tocompare a performance of the user to a performance of at least one otheruser.
 25. A tangible computer readable storage medium including programcode for execution by a processor, the program code, when implemented,is to provide: an interactive training application, provided via amobile device, to train a user to resuspend platelets in a liquid mediumprior to its storage and/or transfusion to a patient, the trainingapplication to instruct the user regarding an appropriate motion andvigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container associated witha blood processing instrument; and a processor to receive informationregarding the user's motion of the mobile device from a sensor and tocompare the user's motion of the mobile device to the appropriate motionand vigor for resuspension of platelets in a blood container and providefeedback to the user regarding the comparison.
 26. The computer readablemedium of claim 25, wherein the interactive training application isconfigured to teach the user regarding a function and operation of theblood processing instrument.
 27. The computer readable medium of claim25, wherein the processor is to receive information from the sensor todetect at least one of a direction and an intensity of user movement ofthe mobile device.
 28. The computer readable medium of claim 25, whereinthe processor is to receive information from the sensor is to detect atype of motion performed by the user with respect to the mobile device.29. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the processor isto visually display, via the mobile device, a progress of plateletsbeing resuspended.
 30. The computer readable medium of claim 25, whereinthe processor is to facilitate setting of a sensitivity of the sensor toidentify movement of the mobile device by the user.
 31. The computerreadable medium of claim 25, wherein the training application is to beprovided as a game that advances based on the user's progress toresuspend the platelets.
 32. The computer readable medium of claim 25,wherein the processor is to facilitate display of information relatingto suggestions for the user regarding resuspension of platelets.
 33. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 25, wherein the processor is tofacilitate display of feedback for the user based on a stage of plateletresuspension.
 34. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein theprocessor is to compare a performance of the user to a performance of atleast one other user.